கலததகயல பணமழ / Feminine Language in Kalithogai

This paper examines the importance of feminine language as seen in “Kalithogai”. It is one of the principal works of Sangam literature. It illuminates the matrilineal foundations of the early Tamil society. The historical evidence from Sangam texts reveals that Tamil culture was a matrilineal system. Women held central roles as household leaders and custodians of familial and social values. Through a study of “Kalithogai”, this article shows that the language of the female characters in “Kalithogai” has been marked by its emotional depth, moral authority in both domestic and public spheres. The paper highlights the women in “Kalithogai” and their expressions of love, grief, or ethical counsel. Then, the social valuation of women's language as a medium of wisdom and emotional intelligence and the contrast between the Sangam era’s gynocentric linguistic norms and later patriarchal shifts in Tamil culture. By studying the poems that show the female protagonists, the study briefs down the recurring motifs of bravery (veeram), compassion (karunai) and ethics (aram), which can create an idealised Tamil femininity. The article employs feminist literary criticism to decode the interaction between gender, power and language found in Kalithogai. It serves as an authentic resource to contemporary gender discourses. Hence, it emphasises the role of women's voices as authoritative in ancient societies. It contributes to a keen discourse on Tamil literary feminism by utilising “Kalithogai” to show how women were respected in the ancient Tamil society.